The U.S. Department of Education has finally granted Idaho a waiver from some of the toughest provisions in the federal No Child Left Behind law.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna celebrated the waiver Wednesday, saying it marks a great day for Idaho teachers, students and schools.
Idaho was among the first states to push for more flexibility under the law.

No Child Left Behind requires all students to be proficient in reading and math by 2014, but the waivers negate that requirement as long as states develop viable alternative benchmarks.

In granting the Idaho waiver, federal officials also approved the state’s new system for education accountability based on multiple measures for student achievement.

That new accountability plan must still get final approval from the Idaho State Board of Education. (AP)